Pelosi’s Thumb Is Still Halfway Up on Syria, Staff Indicates

Did Nancy Pelosi’s “Dear Colleague” letter on Syria endorse the Senate language on use of military force? Roll Call published a story Thursday afternoon with a headline saying she gave a “thumbs up” to the joint resolution as approved Wednesday by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Her office immediately contacted us to say the headline and lead paragraph were “overwritten.”

Here’s the text of the House minority leader’s letter:

September 5, 2013

Dear Colleague,

Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a resolution to authorize limited and targeted military action in response to the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.

The Senate resolution addresses some of the concerns expressed by many of our House members. Specifically, the resolution prevents boots on the ground, ties the authorization more closely to the use of chemical and other weapons of mass destruction and has a limited timetable.

In order for the resolution to be filed in the Senate in a timely manner, the Senate and the House will each convene for a pro forma session tomorrow, Friday, September 6, 2013. The Senate expects to consider the joint resolution during the week of September 9.

As this process moves forward, I am grateful to those who have provided their ideas, suggestions and concerns and urge you to continue to do so.

Thank you again for the thoughtful and deliberative tone during this serious debate.